Dimitri

She lay there, so small, so pale, Aly curled up next to her on the small hospital bed. I watched as she took small even breaths, her eyes closed, a bandage wrapped around her head even though Lissa had healed the wound on the back of her head. Lissa was in the room, along with all our friends. Adrian was sitting on Rose's other side, his eyes closed, trying to dream walk. Christian was pacing in the corner.

"How is it even possible?" He blurted as he paced the floor at the foot of the bed. "Strogoi shouldn't be able to pass wards – Oh god! I set her on fire!" Lissa walked over to him, standing in his path. She sighed and gave him a hug, stopping him from pacing.

"Wards are made up of the four elements, spirit wasn't part of that. Maybe Spirit cause a negative charge, deflecting the protective powers. Rose said they were set to be changed, either way they would have be weakened." Lissa said with a loud watery sigh. "It's all my fault." Christian sighed and held her tightly to him.

"It's not."

"Maybe not the wards, but I made the charms for her Christian. She was able to hide here all because of me."

"Who are you people?" Rose asked in a groggy tone. She tried to sit up but failed, instead settling for a hand on her forehead. Lissa's bottom lip trembled as she went to stand by her best friend, holding her hand. "What, too soon?" I laughed. I couldn't help it. Lissa slapped Rose on the arm as Aly wiggled her way closer to Rose. Rose gave her a long kiss on our daughter's forehead. Eddie went to get the doctor.

"Christian, I'm really sorry." He shook his head.

"I'm starting to think it's a family tradition, you know, to turn Strogoi." He let out a bitter laugh. "How are you feeling?" I grabbed a hold of Rose's hand when she finally let our daughter go. Aly still stayed close to Rose.

"Oh, you know, peachy!" Rose put up her two thumbs and smiled, trying to sit up. I helped her and smiled down and she looked up at me. The door burst open before I could even speak and Abe and Janine came rushing in.

"She's awake?"

"She is awake." Rose replied. Janine pushed me aside and hugged her daughter tightly. "She's going to pass out if she can't breathe though." Janine chuckled and let go, patting her daughters head. Abe smiled and kissed Rose's cheek before he ruffled her hair.

"Rose, I just want to keep you in for a couple more hours, but you can go home after." Rose nodded as the doctor left the room. She concentrated on stroking Aly's curls.

"Mia went to get you some clothes." I dipped down and gave Rose a kiss on the forehead before taking her hand as I sank down in the chair again.

"Lissa, you're supposed to be the optimist." Rose laughed as she leaned further back into the pillows stroking her daughter's curls. Aly reached out and grabbed one of my finger's laces with Rose's. I smile and kissed her hand as she giggled.

"What do you mean?"

"How many Moroi willingly turn Strogoi?" Rose asked. I look at her wondering where she was going with this.

"I don't know, twenty percent?"

"So that leaves eighty percent that were forced." Rose continued watching Lissa as she thought through what rose was suggesting as if she knew. I looked at Christian and he was looking back at me just as confused.

"You're an actual genius!"

"Okay, fill in the non-bonded people." Christian demanded.

"I was able to make a charm that deflected a Strogoi's natural instincts – I can help people Christian!"

"So, you're going to make how many charms, that uses how much spirit that causes how much darkness?" Christian asked. "And what if it doesn't work? I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I didn't think about that." Lissa said as she bowed her head. Rose rolled her eyes.

"You're stuck with me for a while." Lissa smiled, I squeezed Rose's hand with a smile.

"Not for long." Lissa said as she sat on the beside her friend. "Rose you were right."

"I'm right about most things." Rose laughed as I rolled my eyes. "What am I right about?"

"Rose, you can't be my Guardian anymore." Everyone turned to look at Lissa, mouths opened in shock. "You're right, it's not fair for Aly to always be worrying."

"Lissa, I'm still going to be around, Guardian or not."

"I know but not until after you finish your internship and degree." Rose looked at Lissa in confusion.

"I'm bringing in new laws - especially around Moroi, Dhampir violence, it'll be a good idea to have a lawyer on the Dhampir's side for once."

"How long was I out?" I looked between the two best friends, laughing despite myself.

"And, Christian is going to need someone to write up contracts for him." Lissa continued, ignoring Rose's question. "For his new Moroi training gym." Christian looked at Lissa in shock.

"That's two different types of Law." Lissa smacked Rose on the arm before she was scooped up by Christian. I smiled and laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "But I'm serious – how long was I out?"

"Just two." I replied, squeezing her hand again. Mia walked in with a bag of clothes her face a clear sign of confusion.

"I could use a shower then." I rolled my eyes and laughed and everyone joined in.

"Can you read me Tinkerbell before bed Mommy?" Rose smiled and nodded.

I was finally going to be with the women I loved and my child. Forever.